Where Did I Get This Chocolate for Your Candy? A Brief History of Chocolate

The quick answer is from my local distributor, and he gets it from Belgium, but how did it get to Belgium and why is it considered the best chocolate in the world?

The chocolate that I used today to make your candy came from a long line of cacao seeds that became trees in the Amazon Rain Forests more than 40 centuries ago. These trees were most probably discovered by the Incas who then traded the seeds to the Olmecs.

About 30 centuries ago the Olmecs planted the seeds and began enjoying the fruits of their labor - cacao seeds. The Olmecs were a trading society that traveled quite extensively throughout the region and they introduced the cacao seeds, among other seeds, to the Aztecs.

The Aztecs started mixing ground up cacao with various spices and vanilla to make a chocolate drink. When the Spanish Conquistadors were exploring modern-day Central America they noticed the nobility drinking this chocolate drink. They acquired the seeds and brought them back to Spain. Unfortunately, for the Spanish, the cacao trees can only grow in the equatorial regions so they needed to plant the cacao seeds in their colonies in the West Indies and the Philippines. The Spanish being a trading society passed on their new commodity to other European countries over the next two hundred years. One country that got these cacao seeds was Belgium.

Belgium colonized an area of Africa, in the late 1800's, that had both the weather conditions and the soil to plant the cacao seeds. The Belgians took over the land (and the cacao trees) in The Congo and started importing the cacao seeds to chocolate makers in Belgium. These cacao seeds were mixed with various items by the fine chocolate craftsmen to create the best chocolate in the world. Some of the ingredients that the chocolatiers used were various nuts, thus inventing the praline. Therefore, technically, unless pralines are made from Belgian chocolate they really are not pralines.

The Belgian chocolatiers shared their recipes with foreign chocolatiers but the Belgians apparently did not share their techniques because over the last century Belgian chocolate is still the industry standard for the finest quality chocolate available. Belgian chocolates place in History was solidified in 1912 when the Belgian chocolatiers Jean Neuhaus created what is called couverture (the term translates from the French as roughly meaning "coating"). This creation made it possible to make chocolates with fillings. Today the European Union regulates the amount of cacao (at least 35%) and fat (at least 31%) in the finished chocolate.

A. Conway
Owner/Chocolatier
The Nut Shop
http://www.thewoodburynutshop.com/
We offer the finest hand-made chocolates available.
We're nuts about chocolate!

Original article

Why To Buy Bulk Candy

If there is one thing that people love, then it would have to be their candy. There are all sorts of candy for people to fall in love with. There are many distributors who know that people might need a lot of candy and they know that it can be quite costly to buy that much candy. That is why some might want to consider buying bulk candy online. There are many reasons that people might want to do this.

Why To Buy Bulk Candy

The first benefit there is when buying bulk candy online is that you can find some things that are hard to find in stores. Many of us remember the penny candy. These are nice to hand out as prizes and such and there are all types of them out there. There are the wax bottles. There are the flavored tootsie rolls and more. However, finding these seems rather hard. When people do find them in store, they are way more than a dollar a piece. However, go online, and you can find many who sell them for a rather reasonable price and in bulk too.

You get more for your money when you go to buying bulk candy online. When you go to buy this, you find that you get more than you were anticipating. So, those people who find that they need a mass amount will find that they can get this for relatively cheap when they buy from these websites that offer candy in bulk. You would not imagine the types that are out there. Making a selection might be hard and not ordering too much might be even harder.

Some others will find that when you go to buying bulk candy online, you are buying straight from the wholesaler. This means that you don't have to deal with a third party that might up the price and might not be able to get orders right. This is what you need when you need that amount of candy and when you are working on such a tight budget. When you look at how much you are spending, you will find that you are spending the same amount for a rather large box where you would pay that amount for a rink a dink box from the store nearest to you. Put that into perspective when you are looking at saving. The problems you get from the store as that they might not have on hand as much as you need and that you need to order well in advance is no longer an issue. Nor do you have to worry about going to go pick it up as it is shipped to you!

All of these reasons make it great for people who have a need for that much candy. It doesn't matter if you are going to be using this for fundraising or for a party. When you have a need for a special sort of candy and you have to have a large amount, buying bulk candy online is said to be the safe and easiest way to go. Some might go as far as to say it's the only way to go.

RoyalCandyCompany.com is the leading online candy retailer to Buy Bulk Candy. If you're looking to Buy Candy Online, you'll find RoyalCandyCompany offers the lowest pricing on all products. If you find a competing site offering lower pricing, they'll match and beat the price by 10%.

Original article

Bulk Chocolate Candy For Easter

Easter Sunday is not only a significant religious holiday, but it is an important holiday for candy makers. Chocolate covered Easter eggs filled with caramel (or other fillings) and chocolate or white chocolate Easter bunnies are some of the candies that are offered before and during Easter in convenience stores and grocery stores. Yet, whenever you fill plastic eggs for the holiday with quarters, dimes, pennies, and even dollars, you can also fill chocolate candies in the Easter eggs. Just make sure that the chocolate is cold and does not sit out in the sun, because the chocolate will melt. For Easter Egg Hunting Parties, many types of chocolate are bought in bulk in order to lessen the amount of cost. At the grocery store or the convenience store, you buy chocolate candy at a higher cost, for a specific bag. If you buy your chocolate in bulk, you get to have more chocolate for your money.

By buying bulk candy, you work directly with the wholesaler. The wholesaler may offer discounts on the chocolate as well. If you are holding a large scale Easter Egg Hunt such as at your church, a government building, a specific company event, or even the White House, in Washington, D.C., your organization needs to buy chocolate candy in bulk for Easter. Some wholesalers offer incentives for selling bulk candy, like buy three packs, get another pack for free. The chocolate candies come in various shapes and sizes. Chocolate also comes in different colors and can contain nuts, caramel, coconut, or peanut butter.

Buying Bulk Chocolate Candy

You do not necessarily have to buy bulk chocolate candy around the holidays to enjoy the satisfactory feeling of fine chocolate. You can buy bulk chocolate candy at any time. You can even make your order online for bulk chocolate candy; You can have bulk chocolate candy to give out for your guests, friends, and family as treats. For example, mini chocolate bars to give out to your guests. Your guests can have the option to choose to have nuts in the bars or straight milk chocolate. There are various candy warehouse vendors all across the United States, even the world who are waiting and wanting to have your business. Some of which, the business have been in operation for a long time. These candy warehouses can work with the public at large as well as organizations (private or public).

If you are having a fundraiser for your school club, such as DECA, you can incorporate bulk chocolate candy. Buying bulk amounts of chocolate candy bars (with or without nuts) can guarantee that you can buy your candy at a discount and sell your candy at a profit. You can work with the wholesaler to get further incentives on fundraisers. Sometimes, the chocolate is sold per pound or per unit. The chocolate can range from white chocolate to dark chocolate. If the chocolates are in M&M form, they can be monogrammed with a limitation of letters on the backside. These monogrammed M&Ms are great presents for weddings, holidays, baby showers, and other events.

RoyalCandyCompany.com, the leading online wholesale candy retailer, allows you to Buy Bulk Chocolate and other Bulk Candy at highly discounted prices. Their price guarantee keeps customers coming back as they will match and beat any competitor's price.

Original article

How Chocolate Candy Bars Are Made

It is late at night and you have been sleeping soundly for hours. Then, suddenly, a strange sound wakes you with a start. You begin to wonder, "Is there someone in the house? Do I need to grab a baseball bat and explore?"

Finally, you work up the courage and head downstairs, ready to take on the intruder. After a thorough search, you discover the culprit. You cat has simply knocked over a few pots and pans. You breathe a sigh of relief and start to head back upstairs to bed.

Then another thought hits you. After all, you are in the kitchen already, so why not have a delicious midnight snack?

For the most part, midnight snacks come in two categories: salty or sweet. Nobody is getting up and having a banana for a snack in the middle of the night. Nope, you are either having a bowl of salty chips, decadent ice cream, or a delicious and filling candy bar.

Candy bars are a fantastic snack that many of us take for granted. Half the time we just grab them on an impulse while waiting in line at the grocery store. We never consider, however, just how much time and effort goes into making such a handy and convenient treat.

The chocolate that you find in the store is the product of an incredibly long and complicated refining process. This process starts off bean pods that come from a tree called the Theobroma cacao. Aztec and Mayan cultures had a great respect for this food, and the name literally translates to "food of the gods."

The Chocolate-Making Process

To start the process of making chocolate you must first harvest the cacao pods. These pods grow all over the tree, so to get them down you must chop them down with machetes by hand. But you can't just ship the pods out as-is from the tree. You must first split them open. This reveals the cocoa bean that lies inside.

After that, you must scrape at the beans and the sweet pulp that surrounds them. From there the pods are left to ferment for approximately two to eight days in baskets. This important step helps to mellow out the flavor of the beans. If you didn't do that, they would be far too bitter to enjoy.

If you like a higher-quality chocolate bar, then you are probably eating something where the beans were left to ferment for much longer. This results in a fruity and floral flavor. Once finished fermenting, the cocoa harvesters spread them all out into one single layer. They then allow the cocoa to dry out completely in direct sunlight.

From there the beans are packaged and shipped out to the manufacturing plant. At the plant, they first roast the cocoa. This helps to bring out the most intense flavors and colors. Different types of beans require different times and temperatures of roasting.

After the roasting process is completed, it is time to put the beans in a winnower. This machine gets rid of the shells, leaving only the "nibs" of the bean. This is the best part of the cocoa bean, which is then ground into a rich and thick paste. This chocolate liquor (which contains no alcohol) is the building block of all chocolate products.

Once the liquor is produced, it is time to press it. The pressing removes the cocoa butter, and leaves behind a powdery disc, called a "cocoa presscake." From there the process is different depending on what type of chocolate you are producing. In some cases, you re-add cocoa butter. In others, you add it to the conching machine to knead and massage the chocolate. From there it is tempered and wrapped into the candy bars you know and love!

Exciting New Varieties

Of course, there are all different delicious varieties of candy and candy bars. For one, the Tiramisu Bar is a delight that uses only the very finest chocolate all the way from Belgium. This exciting bar is made from the finest cocoa beans, and is an incredible imitation of an exotic dessert.

If you are a coffee enthusiast, then you probably know that chocolate actually contains trace amounts of caffeine. This makes sense when you think about it, because like coffee it is also derived from a bean. The delicious Espresso Bar is made from delicious Belgian chocolate that is combined with a little dash of energy-filled espresso. This candy bar truly combines the best of both worlds.

These are just two of the amazing, incredible varieties of chocolate bars that come in all different shapes and sizes. It is incredible to think that all of these delightful pieces of candy are produced from just one modest little cocoa bean! So the next time you are going to pick up a candy bar at the supermarket check-out, remember all the incredible work it took to get it there.

Andrea Mills is a freelance writer who writes about shopping and food products including candy bars.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_M_Mills

Original article

Buying Bulk Candy Online to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Who could ever resist the sweet temptation of chocolate candy? Or, the smell of butterscotch candies in a candy bowl? Candy is a sugary treat known throughout the world. It comes in many different varieties, shapes, and sizes. Candy canes, gum drops, bubble gum, and more are a favorite of many, from kids to adults. If you like to eat candy, and spend a lot of money on candy, consider buying bulk candy.

Why You Should Be Buying Bulk Candy

Buying bulk candy is cheaper than buying candy individually from the store. If you go to a convenience store or a wholesale store, you would notice that individual boxes and bags of candy would sell for over one dollar. With the economy being in such a poor condition, you have to save each penny that you earn. If you work with a candy wholesaler, you can save your hard earned money.

Working with wholesale candy suppliers is very easy. If you are with an organization that consumes a lot of candy, such as a church, a school, or a non-profit organization, you can receive a discount from the wholesaler for buying bulk candy. Discounts are great if you or your organization is on a tightly strapped budget. If you would have bought candy straight from the store, you would have had to sell double the cost in order to cover your expenses and to make a profit.

Various manufacturers carry certain brands of candy in bulk. Chocolate covered candy can contain nuts, caramel, coconut, and other types of flavors, and are a popular choice. Other popular types of candy are bubble gum, peppermints, sweet tarts, and butterscotch. You can even have candy personalized for an event, such as a sporting event or a wedding. This will have your customers or your guests to keep a momento of your event.

Another reason to buy bulk candy is that it is a good fundraising activity. Kids and adults love candy, especially chocolate bars. You can order packages of chocolate bars in bulk to give to your teachers at school. The teachers can give the children an order form for the children to keep track of the candy bars. The children can take the candy bars home and sell them to family, friends, neighbors and church members. As a fundraiser, you can have prizes for the children who sell the most boxes of candy in the entire school. Prizes, such as a pizza party for the person who sells the most candy would be exciting to younger children. For older children, a day at the amusement park would be exciting. The fundraiser could go to help to fund a school's band trip, specific club, or another type of expense.

Finding a candy wholesaler is not difficult. In fact, it is relatively easy. Search online. Many reputable ones exist around the world, specializing in many different types of sweet treats. If you search for a bulk candy company wholesaler, be sure to contact them through telephone or through e-mail for any special types of deals that they can offer. This will save you money in the long run.

RoyalCandyCompany, the leading online wholesale candy retailer, offers the top Bulk Candy and Bulk Chocolate at highly discounted prices. Their price guarantee keeps customers coming back as they will match and beat any competitor's price.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bran_T_Smith

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For What Occasions Would You Choose Buying Bulk Candy Online?

What some have seen to be true is that candy is a big staple at many occasions. When hosting an event where you know there is going to be a lot of people, and making sure you have enough candy for everyone, finding a way to buy that much while not spending so much can be a big burden. This is why there are many who might consider buying bulk candy online. However, when do you know if you are going to need that much?

We tell people that they should know if they are going to need a lot as this will save them a lot of money. There are many individuals who have events coming up. Here are a few of those events where you might need a lot of candy and on such short notice. This is where buying bulk candy online might be a big thing for you to consider.

For What Occasions Should You Buy Bulk Candy Online?

One of the first events that comes to our mind where you might have a certain type of candy in mind to serve whether it be as a favor or just as something you have on the tables would be at a wedding. There are many who have candy that goes with a theme that they have at their wedding. It might be that you shared this candy on your first date or something really cheesy like that. No matter why you want it, you want to know that you can fit it in your budget while at the same time, getting enough without causing any problems. This is why buying bulk candy online is so great. You work with the wholesaler who has bulk on stock and for far less than what you would pay at the store.

Another event that we think about where candy is great as it is handed out as prizes and such would be carnivals. There are many who use carnivals to break the ice as they tell people about their school or church. However, many people are doing these as fundraisers as well. The prizes are free which means paying for the candy comes out of your pocket and your expenses. That is why you need to be able to get a good amount of money for a way smaller price than what you would naturally pay for it. That would be another event which you might need it for.

Others tend to plan way far ahead for graduation day. This is when the party begins. There is cake and other snack items. Candy is usually on the list. Some of you need certain colors. You don't know exactly how many to plan for. When that is the case, you need to have plenty on hand. This is when buying bulk candy online can come in pretty darn handy as well.

These are just a few of the many instances when you will need a lot of interesting and hard to find candy. Buying from a store can be a drag not to mention pricey. Therefore, when you buy it through the wholesaler and online, you have the candy you want, the amount of it you need, and the price you are willing to pay.

RoyalCandyCompany, the leading online wholesale candy retailer, offers the top Bulk Candy and Bulk Chocolate at highly discounted prices. Their price guarantee keeps customers coming back as they will match and beat any competitor's price.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bran_T_Smith

Original article

Tasty Chocolate Recipes: Candy Clusters, Moist Brownies, and Pound Cake

You can make delicious chocolate treats without being an expert cook, candy maker, or baker. The recipes in this article are easy and will produce yummy results. Raisin Walnut Clusters makes great chocolate cluster candies using only 4 ingredients. The Chocolate Syrup Brownies are frosted by sprinkling chocolate chips over the brownies while hot from the oven, and Yummy Chocolate Pound Cake is easy and delicious.

RAISIN WALNUT CLUSTERS
8 oz chocolate candy coating
2 tbsp butter or shortening
1 1/2 cup broken walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.

In a double boiler, melt the chocolate candy coating with the butter or shortening, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, when totally melted. Add the walnuts and raisins mixing well to coat. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least a half hour or until set.

Yield: about 2 dozen candy clusters

CHOCOLATE SYRUP BROWNIES
1 stick butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 can (16-oz) chocolate syrup
4 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 of a small pkg chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Remove from the microwave and add the sugar and chocolate syrup; beat well.

Beat the eggs using an electric mixer; add to the chocolate mixture.

Sift the flour and salt together and into the chocolate mixture. Add the walnuts and stir in well. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Cover the pan with foil and let set for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and spread the melted chips over the brownies. Cool before cutting into squares.

YUMMY CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE
1 cup boiling water
2 squares (1-oz each)unsweetened chocolate, cut up
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 3/4 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
powdered sugar for garnish

In a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the chocolate and let stand for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease well and flour a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan; set aside.

Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together into a small bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, let butter stand at room temperature until softened. With mixer on high speed, beat butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and beat in the flour mixture by fourths, with the sour cream by thirds, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat in the cooled chocolate mixture just until combined. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Transfer from the pan to the rack and cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar for garnish.

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's dessert recipes visit her blog at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com/
For her diabetic dessert recipes and information visit her at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Carol_Wilson

Original article

Forget the Mess and Choose Sun Safe Candy

Summer is a time for children to celebrate school-free days frolicking at the beach and pool and just enjoying the freedom that comes with being a kid. Candy goes hand-in-hand with summer fun, and everyone has memories of hopping on their bike and heading down to the local stationary store with some pocket change for some sweet treats to share with friends. While young chocoholics were left with evidence of their indulgences on smeared faces and grubby hands, kids who chose sun-safe, non-melting candy could escape the questioning looks of parents wondering why dinner was left untouched yet again.

Kids and parents who want to avoid the mess of candy that melts in the heat have some great new and classic options available that are sure to bring smiles to faces both young and old. Choices range from hard candy to chewy confections to gum.

On the hard candy front, rock candy is a nostalgic choice that is perfect for warm weather. This candy is made by the same process of crystallization that produces quartz and diamonds in nature. It is available in blue raspberry, grape and strawberry flavors and comes in a choice of a mini bin or paint can packaging.

Another classic hard candy option is Jolly Rancher minis. Super sweet and long lasting, Jolly Ranchers come in grape, apple, watermelon, cherry and blue raspberry flavors. Packaging choices also include a paint can or mini bin container.

Also on the melt-resistant classic hard candy front are candy buttons. Parents will remember these sweet little dots packaged on strips of paper from their own childhood, bringing back their own memories of summertime fun. Today, Mega Candy Buttons are available in regular assorted fruit flavors and Mega Sour ones to appeal to kids of varying tastes.

If hard candy doesn't have the fun vibe that kids seek, some other sun-safe options exist in gummy and chewy candies. Fans of classic candy will love treats like licorice and jelly beans. Licorice options include a Red Mix of cherry and strawberry flavored Australian licorice wheels or a Black Licorice mix of wheels. Red and black licorice is also available as bite size sticks. For a whimsical twist, Red Licorice Scotties will put some bite back into the dog days of summer with their pooch-friendly take on chewy candy. Packaging options for all licorice is either a small lunch box or paint can.

Another chewy candy that has stood the test of time is the jellybean. This classic candy is more than just an Easter-time staple. It is the perfect warm weather candy. It doesn't melt or make a mess, and the fruity flavors are refreshing on even the warmest days. The only drawback to jellybeans is that most people pick out the cherry ones from the mix, leaving behind secondary flavors that just can't match cherry's appeal. The solution? Just choose an all-cherry jellybean option. Available in mini bin, paint container or lunch box packaging, Very Cherry Jellybeans keep kids happy while saving them from sticky hands, messy clothes and mouths.

More kid-friendly options on the sun-safe chewy candy front include traditional and sour gummy mixes. On the traditional side, folks who grew up enjoying Swedish Fish will love sharing the Sea Life Mix with their own kids. Featuring an assortment of gummy treats like Swedish Fish, Gummy Alligators and Mini Frogs in a rainbow of fruity flavors, this assortment is sure to make a splash.

Kids who want their gummy candies with a kick will love the Sour Mix collection of candies. This assortment of sour gummy belts, worms and cola bottles is designed to trigger mouths to water with its heavy coating of tart sugary grains. Available in a paint can package, this collection is sure to provide sour candy junkies with the tangy thrill they crave.

For those who desire something sweet but don't necessarily want hard or chewy candy, gum is the perfect heat-proof solution. Nothing brings back youthful memories than the fresh, sweet flavor of bubble gum on a warm day. For a new twist on an old favorite, Dubble Bubble Gumballs in Very Cherry pair the classic taste of Dubble Bubble gum with cherry candy on the outside for some extra zip. Dubble Bubble Gum Balls in Very Cherry come in either mini bin or paint can packaging.

Every sweet tooth knows that some candy just can't handle the heat and sun without being reduced to a messy pile of goo. Thankfully, sugar lovers both young and old have a ton of options for treats that will hold up on even the hottest summer day. From hard candy like Jolly Ranchers, to jelly beans and gummy candies, there's an option for even the most discerning sweet tooth. So sit back and relax with a Swedish Fish or two and follow it with a gumball chaser for dessert. It's summer, and everyone needs a sun-proof candy to forget the mess and make them feel like a kid again.

Brent Miller is a freelance writer who writes about shopping and food products including Sun Safe Candy

Original article

Did You Ever Consider Buying Chocolate Candy Molds Wholesale? Here Are the Facts You Must Know!

From time to time, we shop for the ideal chocolate for special occasions. Ironically, despite hovering around numerous stores, it's hard to find what you are really looking for. Isn't that frustrating? For those who can make candies themselves, things really could be much different. Putting it straight and simple, why should you spend more on commercially sold candies, if you can make candies of the same quality yourself. And if you think it's a good idea preparing chocolate candies on your own and in bulk, consider purchasing those supplies wholesale.

There are myriad of candy supplies that you can buy online or offline. Just think of the fun supplies you can buy for making hard candies, truffles or bon bons! Again, chocolates remain among top favorites of all time. But needless to say, the best deals are online! There are different kinds of ingredients that can be used. It's real fun for candy making enthusiasts to shop for supplies like chocolate, molds, pots or different kind fun candy ingredients that keep guests charmed and delighted. Doing a little bit of research online also lets you to get an overall idea on the tasks and costs involved. Besides, candy stores are feasible pots if you intend to locate wholesale deals to buy candy supplies.

Today, you can find lots of online communities which host candy lover members. If you read online forums and blogs on candy making, it's so easy for you to get valuable insights online. You also get to understand the views or experiences of veteran candy makers. If you have the patience to read, you'll get lots of real life tips on shopping for wholesale candy making supplies. Fortunately, many online candy stores are ready to offer useful insights for you to help you with your quest for candy supplies.

And just look at the bright side here. If you shop online, you'll save yourself the hassle of visiting typical stores offline. If you're just new with your candy making, it's safer to stick to the easy recipes only. Ironically, making hard candies is indeed hard for some beginners. Sounds funny though, but it's hard for some people to make even hard candies. You need to face the fact that it takes some tricks and tactics to make good candies. You can't just rely on the best recipe to make candies. But if you keep going, you'll grasp the art sooner or later. Even if it feels cumbersome to handle molds in the first place, you'll get used to it eventually.

To be on the safe side, get started with only flat candy molds, since they happen to be among the simplest ones and hence will hardly require any skills at all. And you're also at your liberty to choose from different kinds of molds and shapes. Like we just said, flat molds are the safest for most novice candy makers. You don't need to do much more than simply pouring the liquid candy into the molds, so you can let it dry for some time. Regardless of the initial choices you have, you'll see your candy making skills flourishing. Then you could simply start trying out molds like 3-D and hollow molds. And be sure to gauge the demand of candies for the occasion you're preparing for. This will help you understand how much you will buy on wholesale deals.

Original article

A Brief History of the Candy Bar

Most people have had a craving for a candy bar at some point in their life. They're easily accessible at work, at home, or at the supermarket. It can give you a "pick me up" for a burst of energy. If you're hungry, it can curb your appetite until lunch or dinner. When you're feeling down, eating one can put a smile on your face. Chocolate, the prominent ingredient, has been around for hundreds of years, but it wasn't until the nineteenth century that it was developed into a candy bar. Here is its brief history:

1500 BC to 400 BC - The Olmec Indians of the Eastern Mexico lowlands are thought to be the first people to grow cocoa beans as a domestic crop. It took hundreds of years before cocoa became widely used as a remedy and as an aphrodisiac, and so it became known as a food from the gods. The Aztecs used cacao beans as currency and as a drink for people with high social status. Europeans were first introduced to chocolate as a beverage, and they loved it so much that a chocolate house was opened in London in 1657 where drinks were served to the upper class. Within twenty years, chocolate was found in tea cakes and other sweets. It took almost ninety years after Europe discovered chocolate before it was introduced to the United States. Dr. James Baker and John Hanan built America's first chocolate mill, and soon after, they were making Baker's chocolate.

1830- A kind of solid chocolate was developed by a British company called Joseph Fry & Sons. 1847- Fry's chocolate factory molded the first chocolate bar. 1866- The Fry's Chocolate Cream bar is produced for mass sale. 1900- Milton S. Hershey introduces the first Hershey milk chocolate bar in the United States. It sold for a nickel. 1920- The Baby Ruth candy bar is first sold. There is still an ongoing dialogue whether is was named after President Cleveland's daughter or Babe Ruth. 1923- Mounds, a double chocolate coconut concoction, is first made. 1924- Milky Way is introduced. 1928- Heath Bar, a chocolate coated toffee is introduced. 1936- The 5th Avenue Bar is created.

Hundreds of candy bars have come and gone. Some popular ones are: 100 Grand Bar, Almond Joy, Charleston Chew, Chunky, Clark Bar, Goo-Goo Clusters, Marathon Bar, Milkshake, Mr. Goodbar, Nestle Crunch, Oh Henry, Powerhouse, Seven-Up Bar, Skybar, Snickers, and Three Musketeers. Most candy bars are made with chocolate, but an occasional non-chocolate one becomes a favorite, such as Payday, Zero, and Zagnut. Time will tell which ones will be favored by future generations.

Bridget Sweeney is the owner of Woodstock Candy, an online store that specializes in retro and nostalgic candy gift boxes. Please visit Woodstock Candy for all your favorite old time candies.

Original article

Classic Candy Bars That Are Perfect For The Holidays

Candy has existed in one form or another for thousands of years. Ancient peoples enjoyed honey right out of the hive and later combined it with nuts and fruits to create tasty confectionary treats. Sweets were typically served at the end of a meal for dessert or were eaten as a snack. For most of its history, candy made from sugar was too expensive for commoners. It was a delicacy only the rich could afford.

After the Spanish rediscovered cacao, from which chocolate is made, in Mexico in 1519, the price of candy fell precipitously. By the 17th century, hard candy was wildly popular in North America and chocolate was all the rage in Europe. Large factories were suddenly springing up on both sides of the Atlantic. Though the chocolate bar was invented in England in 1847, it was popularized by an American company at the dawn of the twentieth century.

The Hersey Company introduced the first wrapped chocolate bar in 1900. Its success encouraged countless candy makers to develop their own candy bars. The Hershey Bar has been one of the best-selling candies on earth for most of its history. However, it is not the company's most popular product. Miniature chocolate droplets called "Kisses" were introduced in 1907. The Hershey Company ships about sixty million of them each day! Their diminutive chocolate bars, Hershey's Miniatures, are also extremely popular with chocolate lovers everywhere.

Holiday Candies

Chocolate bars have never been particularly popular during the holiday season. As you might expect, the nearly ubiquitous candy cane is the most common holiday treat. According to reliable estimates, about 1.76 billion of them are made each year! But chocolate bars and candies have gained a loyal following of late.
Hershey's Kisses

As we mentioned, Hershey's Kisses are one of the most popular products in the history of chocolate. Tens of billions of them are shipped and sold each year. Though annual sales peak just before Halloween, they also spike during the holiday season. They are so popular, in fact, that Hershey's produces a special holiday edition of its famous candies wrapped in festive red, silver and green foil. With 7 ounces of milk chocolate, the Giant Hershey's Kiss has also become a trendy stocking stuffer and holiday gift.

Hershey's Holiday Miniatures

Modeled after their original chocolate bar, Hershey's Miniatures are a common holiday gift. Whether deposited into stockings or left out in bowl, miniatures make for a tasty treat when the weather gets cold. Just like their more famous cousins (the Kisses), Hershey's Miniatures are wrapped in festive foils for the holiday season. They are sold in variety packs at most major supermarkets and department stores.

Advent Calendars

The holidays are a hectic time of year for any parent. Crowded stores, annoying in-laws, and boring office parties make the season a chore for most. Of course, most parents forget all about those minor frustrations when their kids open their presents. An easy and affordable way to prolong the air of magic and mystery that surrounds the holiday season is to give your little angel an advent calendar.

The standard advent calendar contains twenty-four doors, and behind each one is a tasty milk chocolate treat. Most calendars also include information about the holiday, so that your child can learn the story and meaning of Christmas as the big day approaches.

Chocolate Ornaments

As popular as candy canes are, they are rarely eaten. Sure, the kids might have one or two of them. But if you decorate your tree with dozens of cane-shaped candy treats, most of them will probably end up in the trash. We're not saying that candy canes have fallen out of fashion, but a little variety never hurt anyone. Chocolate ornaments wrapped in festive foils are an attractive and tasty accessory for any tree. And don't worry, they will not melt!

Chocolate Dreidel

A dreidel is a popular toy Jewish children play with during the holiday of Hanukkah. The four-sided spinning top is used in a gambling game where contestants bet raisins, chocolate, pennies or candies. Chocolate dreidels may not spin like their wooden brethren, but they are far tastier!

Holiday-inspired chocolate candy bars can be purchased from reputable sellers on the internet.

David Shirey is a freelance writer who writes about shopping and food products including candy bars.

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Why You Should Consider Eating Sugar Free Candy

As much as most people love candy, for some folks, sugar is not an option due to medical reasons such as diabetes. For those affected by this disease, consuming excess sugar leads to unbalanced blood sugar levels. This in turn can do long term damage to kidneys, eyes nerves and the cardiovascular system. For healthy people, candy is often avoided because sugar can put a major dent in their waistlines if not consumed in moderation. Thankfully, there is an alternative out there for those adverse to consuming candy due to health or dietary issues. With no sugar versions candy no longer needs to be the proverbial forbidden fruit. Instead, everyone can enjoy an occasional sweet treat without putting their health at risk.

For folks who just cannot bear the thought of life without candy, candy versions are definitely something to consider. The main benefit to going the candy route is that they are less caloric than their sugar-laden counterparts. Now granted, just because you save some calories because of the absence of sugar does not mean you can eat the entire bag in one sitting. Chocolates still have calories from fat so while they are waistline friendlier, they will pack on the pounds if eaten to excess. Non-chocolate sugar free candy gives you a bit more play in the calorie department, though as they do not usually have a high fat content. On average, sugar free candy has an average of 40% less calories than their regular counterparts.

Another benefit to taking the sugar free candy route is that Xylitol, the chemical used to sweeten many of these treats, has some positives things going for it as far as your health is concerned. Xylitol is a 100% natural sweetener that is found in berries, fruits, and vegetables. It is not an artificial sweetener like saccharine or aspartame. Xylitol is also naturally found in our bodies with the average adult manufacturing up to 16 grams of it during metabolism. Pure Xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar. On food labels, Xylitol is classified as both a carbohydrate and more narrowly as a sugar alcohol or polyol, which can be confusing because it is considered a sugar free sweetener.

The main benefit of Xylitol sweetened candies is that they have 40% less calories and 75% fewer carbs than regular sugar. Xylitol will not raise blood sugar so candy sweetened with it is safe for diabetics.

Folks who chew sugarless gum sweetened with Xylitol also benefit because this it has been found to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Tooth decay happens because sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth, which causes them to multiply. This metabolic process then produces acids that cause cavities to form. Using gum or mints with Xylitol stops this acid attack for over a half hour. This is because mouth bacteria cannot ferment xylitol in their metabolism, thus reducing their growth, inhibiting acid formation and keeping the pH of saliva steady.

Another reason to opt for candy is on par with the old beer commercial tag line "tastes great, less filling." While in the past anything labeled sugar free had that medicinal, chemical aftertaste, advances in how today's products are made have improved the taste significantly. The use of xylitol, stevia, or Sucralose as sweeteners puts these candies on par with their sugar-laden counterparts so the taste factor is no longer a valid reason to shun candies This is great news for people who cannot consume sugar, as they are no longer stuck with subpar products.

So now that the benefits of candy are clear, and you are considering making the switch, it is time to explore just what kinds of confections are out there. For folks in need of a chocolate fix, movie theater favorites like chocolate covered peanuts or raisins are two great choices. Delicious milk chocolate will satisfy your craving just as well as the classic Goobers or Raisinets but with less calories and no sugar to bust your belt.

Folks who want sweet but are not in the mood for chocolate can get their candy fix with classics like gummy bears and jellybeans. Gummy bears look, taste and have the texture of their regular counterparts and come in the traditional gummy flavors or cherry, lime and pineapple. Or, for an Easter treat any time of the year, Gourmet jellybeans are the perfect choice. Enjoy classic flavors like cherry and grape or go for more exotic tastes like buttered popcorn, cream soda, juicy pear, pomegranate and tons more!

For those who want a sweet treat that is long lasting, curbs cravings, and is incredibly diet friendly, sugar free gumballs are the way to go. Pop a few in your mouth and you will immediately think back to when you were a kid begging for a quarter at the old grocery store gumball machines. The only difference is that the gumball of yore could warrant a trip to the dentist while sugar free xylitol sweetened gumballs help to prevent tooth decay.

No matter what your reason is for considering a switch to sugar free candy, the benefits to your waistline, teeth and overall health are undeniable. In addition, with the improvements in the types of sweetener available and the actual candy processing, the difference in taste between sugar free and regular varieties are virtually indistinguishable. No more bitter aftertastes or waxy textures. Today's sugar free candies are the real deal and a perfect example of how a product adapts to fit society's needs.

David Shirey is a freelance writer who writes about shopping and food products including sugar free candy.

Original article